Transom adjuster



Aug. 20, 1957 Filed ma 26, .1955

L. c. JOHNSON TRANSOM ADJUSTER 2 Sheet's Sh'eet 1 INVENTOR lo a 6.\fobnsan Aug. 20, 1957 Filed May 26, 1955 I... C. JOHNSON TRANSOMADJUSTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR L.Q q/ CZLZBb son United StatesPatent 2,803,319 TRANSOM ADJUSTER Loyd C. Johnson, Winnetka, 111.Application May 26, 1955, Serial No. 511,378 9 Claims. (Cl. 189-71) Thisinvention relates to safety devices for closure members and particularlyto a heat sensitive device for automatically closing a door transom incase of fire.

It is a well known fact that in large buildings having corridors androoms opening into the corridors, a fire travelling down a corridor willfollow the path of least resistance and will enter those rooms havingopenings communicating with the corridor. A room having an open door ortransom on the corridor will catch fire before one that is sealed fromthe corridor, and this is particularly true if a window is also open inthat room, thereby creating a draft to accelerate the spread of theflames. This has led certain municipalities and states to enactlegislation which forbids the use of an opening from the room into thecorridor other than the door itself. Many buildings in thosejurisdictions which had been equipped with transoms before thelegislation was enacted have found it necessary to nail such transomsshut, thereby depriving the occupants of air circulation in hot weather.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for holding aclosure member, such as a transom or the like, in any given position ofopening within a predetermined range of openings but which neverthelesswill automatically and quickly turn the closure member to closedposition upon the happening of a predetermined event such as theattainment of a predetermined degree of temperature in the vicinity ofthe closure member.

As another object, this invention seeks to provide means for holding atransom open to any degree usually found suitable for transoms, one suchholding means being used on either side of the transom with heatsensitive means common to both holding means for automaticallyinitiating the closing of the transom.

A specific object of this invention is the provision of a transomholding device having the principal parts thereof mounted on a unitaryplate for ease of installation, said transom holding mechanism includingspring operated means for automatically closing the transom, the springoperated means in turn being held in potentially active position by aheat sensitive device.

A feature of this invention is a fastening and guiding means for a wirewhich is used to hold the heat sensitive device in its most effectiveposition relative to the transom.

These and other objects and features of this invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a door and transomshowing the transom holding and closing device of this invention appliedthereto;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary elevation in perspective of themechanism;

Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary elevation, in section, afriction pivot used in the mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the transom of Fig. 1 showing theposition the mechanism occupies when the transom is open and theautomatic closing mechanism is energized, but has not operated;

Fig. '5 is a side elevational view corresponding :to 'Fig.

Patented Aug. 20, 1957 4 showing the transom in closed position with theautomatic closing mechanism still unoperated;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view corresponding to Figs. 4 and 5 showingthe transom closed by the automatic closing mechanism; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a portion of themechanism of Fig. 4 which provides in effect a lost motion connectionbetween the automatic closing means and the portion of the mechanismnormally used to hold the transom in an open position.

In its preferred form, this invention contemplates the use of twomechanisms for a single transom or closure member with a single heatsensitive device connected to both mechanisms to cause a simultaneousoperation of both mechanisms when a predetermined temperature is reachedin the device. It is also contemplated that the two mechanisms will beplaced one on each side of the transom and secured to the door frameadjacent such sides. It is understood, however, that it is possible touse only one such operating mechanism, or to use individual heatsensitive devices for the two mechanisms instead of a common heatsensitive element, and that other variations apparent to those skilledin the art may likewise be made without departing from the spirit ofthis invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of theinvention, and particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a fragment of awall 10, which may be the wall dividing a room from a corridor or hall,into which is set a door frame 11 having a transverse sill 12 dividingthe opening defined by door frame 11 into lower and upper openings for adoor and a transom, respectively. Said openings thus may be closed by adoor 13 and a transom 14, respectively. The transom opening may besealed by trim or stop members 15, 16 and 17 applied to sill 12 and tothe sides of door frame 11, respectively. The upper trim or stop is notshown, but it is understood that such trim or stop may be used acrossthe top of the transom opening.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, transom 14 is secured to sill'12 by a hinge 18 in such manner that the transom will open inwardlyinto the room about a horizontal axis. It is understood that any of theordinary transom operators may be used to open and close transom 14, butfor simplicity, and in view of the fact that the device of thisinvention incorporates a transom holding device, said transom may beoperated by any means calculated to pull the transom down or to push itup, such as an ordinary window pole or the like. Since such operatorsare well known in the art and form no part of this invention, a showingand description thereof have been omitted from this specification.

Two transom holding and closing devices A and B made in accordance withthis invention may be used for each transom. These devices areidentical, except that one is left-handed and the other is right-handedso that device A is applied only to the left-hand side and B to only theright-hand side of a transom as viewed in Fig. 1. To simplify thedescription of the invention, only device B will be described in detailherein, it being understood that device A, insofar as thetransom-operating linkage used in the device is concerned, is identicalwith device B.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, device B is convenientlyassembled on a plate 19, which also constitutes the mounting plate forsecuring the device to trim 17. Appropriate wood screws 20, passingthrough openings (not shown) in the plate may be used to secure plate 19to trim 17.

Fixed to plate 19 by any suitable means is a pin 21 about which ispivotally mounted a pair of links 22 and 22a extending generallyupwardly from said pin. Secured to transom 14 is a bracket 23 in whichis mounted a pin 24 extending transversely thereof, that is, extendingthe free ends of all three said links are connected by a friction pivotshown generally at 26, the details of which are shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 3, friction pivot 26 is comprised of a pin 27threaded at its left-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 3, and provided with ahead 28 at its other end. Said pin 27 passes through suitable openings29, 25a and 30 in links 22, 25 and 22a, respectively, and said links areretained on pin 27 by a nut 31. Link 25 is spaced from links 22 and 2251by washers 32 and 33. A coiled spring 34 is compressed between head 23and link 22 by nut 31, the pressure being transmitted from link 22through washer 26, link 25, washer 32 and link 22a to nut 31. Thisspring pressure is utilized to provide sufficient friction between thelinks and spacers to hold links 22, 22a and 25 at any desired angularposition with respect to one another corresponding to any desired degreeof opening of transom 14 despite the weight of said transom. Thegreatest permissible opening of transom 14, however, is determined by astop 35 (Figs. 4, and 6) secured to plate 19 and interposed in the pathof movement of links 22, 221:.

It may be apparent from the description thus far given that with the useof devices A and B, transom 14 may be opened and closed, or held open inany desired position between the wide open position shown in Fig. 4, andthe closed position shown in Fig. 5, in the normal fashion, i. e. bypulling or pushing the transom with the aid of a window pole or thelike. This may be done independently of the automatic transom closingmechanism which is incorporated in the devices and which will now bedescribed.

Pivotally mounted on pin 21 between links 22 and 22a is a link 36 whichextends to the right of plate 19 as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Theright-hand end of link 36 as shown in these figures is provided with asmall opening 37 through which is passed the hooked end 38 of a coil.spring 39, the opposite end 43 of which is hooked around an anchor pinall on plate 19. Thus, spring 39 tends continuously to urge link 36 torotate about its pivot pin 21 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFigs. 4, 5 and 6. A stop 42 secured to links 22 and 22a and extendingacross the space therebetween into the path of movement of link 36causes any such clockwise movement of link 36 to be transmitted to links22 and 22a, which, in turn, causes link 25 and transom 14 to be movedsimilarly toward the right with the result that transom 14 will pivotabout hinge lid to closed position. 36 occupies the position shown inFigs. 4 and 5, however, links 22, 22a and 25 may move independently oflink 36.

The position of link 36 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 is maintained by aheat sensitive mechanism comprising a fused link 43 provided with eyes44 at the ends thereof to which are fastened the ends of wires 45 and46. A post 47 is secured to the free end of link 36 in such manner thata portion thereof extends beyond the edge of the link. A transverse"move 48 is formed in the extending portion of post 47, and wire 4-5 islaid into groove 48 and then passed around a fixed, peripherally groovedguide 49 on plate 19 and back to post 47'. The free end of wire 45 isthen threaded through an opening 54 (Fig. 2) in post 47 and wound backover itself to form a firm anchor for that end of the wire. I t isunderstood, of course, that wire 46 is similarly anchored to itscorresponding link 36 in device B. Thus links 36 on both sides of thetransom are held firmly in the angular position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4and 5 by virtue of the fact that the wires 45, 46 pass under the levers3-6 through grooves 48, which prevent the wire from sliding along theedge of the links 36, all as long as fusible link 43 is intact.

In the event of a fire in the corridor adjacent transom 14, wherebyfusible link 43 would be exposed to heat at or above the criticaltemperature for the link, said link As long as link.

will melt and will be parted by the tension imposed thereon by springs39 through wires 45 and 46. With link 43 parted, there is no longerpresent a restraining force for springs 39 and the latter willaccordingly immediately collapse, causing links 36 to be rotatedclockwise about pivots 21 during the collapsing movement. Stops 42,however, will be immediately engaged by links 36 so that the clockwiserotation of said links 36 will be imparted to links 22 through saidstops 42, and the clockwise rotation of links 22 will result in animmediate closing of the transom 14. The relative positions of the links25, 22 and 36, after the fusible link 43 has parted and spring 39 hascollapsed, is shown in Fig. 6. It is understood that suflicient tensionremains in springs 39 after the transom is fully closed to hold thetransom firmly in closed position.

Fusible link 43 is normally placed midway between the sides of thetransom, that is, midway between devices A and B. Its location, however,is not material to the operation of this invention and it may beinserted anywhere between posts 49 on devices A and B. Where but asingle device is used, the link may be inserted between posts 47 and 49.In the latter event the complete device may be assembled with thefusible link in place at the factory so that the device may be shippedwith spring 39 properly tensioned and thus eliminating possibility oferror in the installation on the transom. It is understood that thedevices A and B may be used to close automatically other closure memberssuch as doors, windows, ventilator ducts, etc. and that the scope of theinvention therefore is not to be limited to the foregoing descriptionbut is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame, saidmechanism comprising a link pivoted to the closure member, a linkpivoted at one end to the frame and at its other end to thefirst-mentioned link, means for holding the links in a selected one of aplurality of angular positions with respect to one another, resilientmeans for moving the member to closed position, severable means holdingthe resilient means in energized position corresponding to an openposition of the member, and a lost motion connection between theresilient means and the closure member and adapted to provide freemovement of the closure member independently of the resilient meanswhile the latter is held by the holding means, said resilient means uponseverance of the holding means being adapted to overcome the holdingmeans and move the member to closed position.

2. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame, saidmechanism comprising a link pivoted to the closure member, a linkpivoted to the frame, a friction pivot connecting the links and adaptedto hold the links in a selected one of a plurality of angular positionswith respect to one another, resilient means for moving the member toclosed position, severable means holding the resilient means inenergized position corresponding to an open position of the member, anda lost motion connection between the resilient means and the closuremember adapted to provide free movement of the closure memberindependently of the resilient means while the latter is held by theholding means, said resilient means upon severance of the holding meansbeing adapted to overcome the holding force of the friction pivot tomove the member to closed position.

3. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame, saidmechanism comprising a link pivoted to the closure member, a plate, alink pivoted to the plate, a friction pivot connecting the links andadapted to hold the links in a selected one of a plurality of angularpositions with respect to one another, resilient means anchored to theplate for moving the member to closed position, heat sensitive meansalso anchored at one end to the plate and holding the resilient means inenergized position corresponding to an open position of the member, saidheat sensitive means being adapted to soften upon the attainment of apredetermined temperature therein, and a lost motion connection betweenthe resilient means and the closure member adapted to provide freemovement of the closure member independently of the resilient meanswhile the latter is held by the holding means, said resilient means uponsoftening of the holding means being adapted to sever the holding meansand to overcome the holding force of the friction pivot to move themember to closed position.

4. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame, saidmechanism comprising a plate secured to the frame, a link pivoted at oneend to the closure member, a link pivoted to the plate, a friction pivotconnecting the free ends of the links and adapted to hold the links in aselected one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to oneanother, resilient means anchored at one end to the plate, a third linkpivotally connected at one end to the plate and having its other endconnected to the resilient means, a lost motion connection between theresilient means and the closure member, and severable means holding thefree end of the third link in a position corresponding to an energizedposition of the resilient means and to an open position of the closuremember, said resilient means upon severance of the holding means beingadapted to overcome the holding force of the friction pivot to move themember to closed position through said lost motion connection.

5. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame in amanner to turn about a horizontal axis, said mechanism comprising aplate secured to the frame, a link pivoted at one end to the closuremember, a link pivoted to the plate, a friction pivot connecting thefree ends of the links and adapted to hold the links in a selected oneof a plurality of angular positions with respect to one another,resilient means anchored at one end to the plate, a third link pivotallyconnected at one end to the plate about the same pivot as thesecond-mentioned link and having its other end connected to theresilient means, a lost motion connection between the resilient meansand the closure member, and severable means holding the free end of thethird link in a position corresponding to an energized position of theresilient means and to an open position of the closure member, saidresilient means upon severance of the holding means being adapted toovercome the holding force of the friction pivot to move the member toclosed position through said lost motion connection.

6. Operating mechanism for a closure member hinged to a frame in amanner to turn about a horizontal axis, said mechanism comprising aplate secured to the frame with its principal plane disposed verticallyand at right angles to the said horizontal axis, a link pivoted at oneend to the closure member, a link pivoted to the plate, a friction pivotconnecting the free ends of the links and adapted to hold the links in aselected one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to oneanother, resilient means anchored at one end to the plate below thepivot for the second-mentioned link, a third link pivotally con-' nectedat one end to the plate about the same pivot as the second-mentionedlink and having its other end connected to the resilient means, a lostmotion connection between the resilient means and the closure member,and severable means holding the free end of the third link in a positioncorresponding to an energized position of the resilient means and to anopen position of the closure member, said resilient means upon severanceof the holding means being adapted to overcome the holding force of thefriction pivot to move the member to closed position through said lostmotion connection.

7. Operating mechanism for a transom hinged to a door frame, saidmechanism comprising a pair of plates, one disposed on each side of thetransom and secured to the frame, there being operatively associatedwith each plate a link having one end pivoted to one of said plates,

a second link having one end pivotally secured to the transom, afriction pivot connecting the free ends of the first and second linksand adapted to hold the links in a selected one of a plurality ofangular positions with respect to one another, a coil spring, meanssecuring one end of the spring to the said one of said plates, a thirdlink pivoted at one end to the said one of said plates, the other end ofthe spring being connected to the free end of the third link, said thirdlink having a position in which the spring is tensioned, a lost motionconnection between the second and third links and adapted to providefree movement of the closure member independently of the resilient meanswhile the latter is tensioned by the third link; and means for holdingthe third link of each plate in its spring tensioning position, saidmeans comprising a pair of wires each anchored at one end to the freeend of the third link of each plate, a pin on each plate, each said wirepassing around a pin and then back around the said free ends of thethird link, and a fused link, said wires being connected to the oppositeends of the fused link.

8. Operating mechanism for a transom hinged to a door frame, saidmechanism comprising a pair of plates, one disposed on each side of thetransom and secured to the frame, there being operatively associatedwith each plate .a link having one end pivoted to one of said plates, 21second link having one end pivotally secured to the transom, a frictionpivot connecting the free ends of the first and second links and adaptedto hold the links in a selected one of a plurality of angular positionswith respect to one another, a spring, means securing one end of thespring to the said one of said plates, a third link pivoted at one endto the said one of said plates, the other end of the spring beingconnected to the free end of the third link, said third link having aposition in which the spring is tensioned, a lost motion connectionbetween the second and third links and adapted to provide free movementof the closure member independently of the resilient means while thelatter is tensioned by the third link, and common heat sensitive meansfor both plates and severable upon the attainment of a predeterminedtemperature in said heat sensitive means for holding both said thirdlinks in their spring tensioning position.

9. Operating mechanism for a transom hinged to a door frame, saidmechanism comprising a pair of plates, one disposed on each side of thetransom and secured to the frame, there being operatively connected toeach plate a link having one end pivoted to one of said plates, a secondlink having one end pivotally secured to the transom, a friction pivotconnecting the free ends of the first and second links and adapted tohold the links in a selected one of a plurality of angular positionswith respect to one another, a coil spring, means securing one end ofthe spring to the said one of said plates, a third link pivoted at oneend to the said one of said plates, the other end of the spring beingconnected to the free end of the third link, said third link having aposition in which the spring is tensioned, and means for holding thethird link in its spring tensioning position, 'said means comprising apair of wires each anchored at one end to the free end of the third linkof each plate, a pin on each plate, each said wire passing around a pinand then back around the said free ends of the third link; and a fusiblelink, said wires being connected to the opposite ends of the fusiblelink, and a pin extending into the path of movement of the third linkfrom each of said first links, such that said third link causes thefirst link to turn about its pivot in a transom closing direction whenthe fusible link is parted and the wires thereby released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,329,476 Livingston Sept. 14, 1943

